Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-07-13
An Important Criminal Trial.
THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA VS.. j. SPEED
- THOMPSON,

THOMPSON.
LEwIsBURG, GREENBRIER Co., w. VA,
July 9.-An important criminal trial is now
in progress at this place, and has been for
nearly a week. The trial has been the
centre of much interest, both on account of
the fact that it is for the crime of murder,
and because of the prominence of the party
killed, the accused and the witnesses and
counsel in attendance.
On the LIST of March, 1885, in an alterca-
ton in Hinton, W. Va, J. Speed Thomp-
son shot Gilbert Fowler in the leg below the
knee. On the 18th of March thereafter
Fowler died. Fowler was at that time the
assistant prosecuting attorney of Summers
county, and had, in connection with j. II.
Miller, the present prosecutor, just de.
feated VIM. Thompson, brother of Speed
Thompson, who had held the office the
proceeding term, having defeated Fowler
Both men we're prominent politically and
socially. Ebert Fowler, the person killed,
is brother of the Hon. 1. G. Fowler,
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
few years ago when the readjusters were
in power in that State, and brother-in-law
of Col. David johnson, of Giles county,
Va, very prominent lawyer of that county
and State. The Thompsons have been
prominent in West Virginia politics for
some years, and occupy high social po-
sition. Cam. Thompson, a brother of
Speed, was for long time editor of the
Mountain Herald, published at Hinton, and
now editor of the Huntington Advitiser.-
Ex-Attorney- General Blair, of Virginia,
conducts the prosecution, assisted by Mr..
Miller, the prosecuting attorney for Sum-
mers county, whilst Senator John E..
Kenna, Captain r. F. Dennis, Colonel J.
W. st. Clair, Colonel James W. Davis and
John W. Arbuckle, ESQ.,, are for the de-
Tense. Senator Frank Hereford and
Hon. G. P. Snyder are amongst the wit
nesses, of whom there is a great number -
This is the second trial of the cause, the
former one, which was had here at the
April term, 1886, having resulted in hung
jury. The cause was removed on motion
for change Of venue from Summers
county to this (Greenbrier) county. The
following is a brief resume of the evidence:
j. Speed Thompson, the accused, and Ell
bert Fowler, the deceased, were lawyers,
practicing at Hinton, the county seat of
Summers county, both were democrats as
to State and national politics, but there
was great ill-feeling and rivalry between
them as to local politics cross words often
passed, and at one time Fowler had knock
Oh lhOn pSOu ldbucf uOWu WIFI a cane
Much abusive language had come to
Thompson's ears from Fowler. Thompson
is cripple naturally, having a deformed
leg, which compels him at all times to walk
on crutches.
1t is claimed by the defense that Fow-
ler's objection to having his leg amputated
caused him to die of pyamia, and that the
shooting was only the remote and not the
primate cause of the death. Most bitter
ard abusive language was used by each
toward the other through the press. Fow-
Ter at one time published an article in
which he alluded to Thompson and his
crippled condition in severe terms. This
o.o ght forth acrimonious retorts from
Thompson, and the feeling grew apace un-
til it finally eliminated in the shooting and
subsequent death of Fowler
1t was hoped by all concerned that the
evidence could be gotten through with this
week, but as the defense is now engaged in
taking testimony with: reference to EFow-
ler's dangerous character, this may open
such field for rehuttal that the argument
may not begin until next Thursday or Fri
day.
Hon. I. G. Fowler and Col. David john
son have been and still are in attendance.
Hon. II. A. Holt is the judge presiding,
and the jury, which is quite an Intelligent
one, are citizens of this cOuutv